Psalm 126 is a joyous song about the Lord restoring Israel after a time of suffering and judgment. It portrays a people so grateful they think they must be dreaming. The thought of being joyful to point of dreaming piqued my interest, so I wrote a poem based on this psalm for my latest book,ContinueContinue reading “Psalm 126”
Category Archives: Spiritual / religious poetry
Psalm 41
In my new book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, I poetically interact with sacred texts, such as Psalms. There are 150 psalms, so I decided to write a poem based on one of every 10. From the fifth grouping, I chose Psalm 41. There is a spiritual battle in the subtext of theContinueContinue reading “Psalm 41”
What the Seven Thunders Said
Art by Nina Paley / apocalypseanimated.com Revelation, the final book of the Bible, is a series of visions recorded by John (either John the Apostle or John the Elder, scholars don’t agree…but do they ever?). Nearly every image in these visions comes from the Old Testament. That said, the images are combined in surprising waysContinueContinue reading “What the Seven Thunders Said”
This Is My Father’s World
Based on headlines, we might conclude this world belongs to chaos, harm, and despair. We do live in uncertain, though not unprecedented, times; uncertainty is a hallmark of human existence. But these words echo from another uncertain age: “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft soContinueContinue reading “This Is My Father’s World”
Psalm 97
Last night, there was a lightning storm, plus some nearby wildfires, so it is fitting I chose “Psalm 97” as today’s poem. This poem poetically re-processes the original psalm, which presents God as Justice and King. ”Psalm 97” is part of my new collection, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, which I released lastContinueContinue reading “Psalm 97”
Voiceless Choirs—Now Available
I am happy to announce that Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. This is my fifth full length book of poetry, and the first where all the poems are around a single theme—spirituality. Much of the verse in this collection poetically interacts with sacredContinueContinue reading “Voiceless Choirs—Now Available”
Torches
As we speak, the last (I hope) proof copy of my new book is in the mail: Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. I am looking forward to this book. Completing it took more hard work than I can put into words, but it took even more grace. Many of the poems only survivedContinueContinue reading “Torches”
Shock
One day, I had a serious thought. But for some reason, I processed this serious thought using playful variations of familiar phrases. Somehow, out of that mess, today’s poem was born. I’ve written poetry and music for about 35 years. But at the end of the day, the creative process is a mystery to me.ContinueContinue reading “Shock”
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Digital Painting by Patrick Murphy My upcoming book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, is getting closer to being finished. Next step is to get a proof-copy of the paperback. I also need to set up the e-book version. One section of Voiceless Choirs contains poems based on traditional Christian hymns. Rather than justContinueContinue reading “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”
Skin
Painting by Gustave Dore: “Adam and Eve Driven out of Eden” Christians believe that, originally, people lived in harmony with God, each other, and creation. Then came “The Fall.” Basically, the first people (Adam and Eve) ignored what God said and went their own way; they ate from the tree of knowing good and evil.ContinueContinue reading “Skin”
A Wandering Minstrel 